Gratitude, Picnic Style

A thank-you to landlords, neighbors and friends

The past year has been a roller-coaster ride for the Dell family after losing Tommy, third-generation farmer, in a farm accident during harvest. As often happens in rural communities, neighbors and friends rallied to help with field work, chores, raising money for a children’s scholarship fund and sharing the loss.

A simple thank-you didn’t seem enough, so the Dell family decided to use Tommy’s idea for a landlord appreciation picnic as the springboard for a summer gathering at the Westminster, Md., farm to express their gratitude. The equipment was moved out of the machine shed and tables moved in. Landlords, neighbors and friends were treated to barbecue with all of the fixings, homemade desserts, farm tours, a bounce house for the kids, and fishing and swimming in the pond. Held on the ninth birthday of Tommy and Shannon’s son, Grady, the picnic was a hit with the more than 100 folks who flocked to the picturesque farm for a day to remember.

Click the image below to view a photo gallery of the Dell family's picnic.